More Than 147,000 Register for Health Insurance in Oregon

Email to a friend Permalink

Saturday, February 06, 2016

GoLocalPDX Health Team

More than 147,000 Oregonians signed up for health insurance during the enrollment period that ended in January.

Enrollment for 2016 was about 31 percent higher than in 2015, according to the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services. In 2015, 112,000 people signed up. That increase gave Oregon the largest jump of any state. 

"We are encouraged that so many Oregonians were able to sign up and take advantage of financial help. Signing up is an important first step toward getting the care you need," said Patrick Allen, director of the Department of Consumer and Business Services. "As a next step, consumers should familiarize themselves with their plans. If you have questions about what doctors, services, and drugs are covered, you can always call your insurer." 

Those who missed open enrollment may still be able to get covered. If they experience a qualifying life event, such as getting married, having a baby, or losing health coverage, they can apply for a special enrollment period through HealthCare.gov. 

Many low-income Oregonians are also eligible for free or low-cost coverage through the Oregon Health Plan, Oregon's Medicaid program. You can apply for the Oregon Health Plan at any time.

Those without coverage could have to pay a penalty when they file their federal income tax return. The penalty for going without coverage in 2016 is the higher of 2.5 percent of yearly household income or $695 for every adult in your family plus $347.50 for every child under 18. 

Roughly 70 percent of new enrollees are receiving tax credits averaging $256 per month help pay for premiums.

In early 2016, most Oregonians will receive one or more tax forms -- IRS Form 1095 -- about the health care coverage they had in 2015. These tax forms verify that consumers had the coverage required by the Affordable Care Act. 

"If you received tax credits to help you pay for your insurance during 2015, you will need to file a federal income tax return," Allen said. "You need to reconcile the amount of tax credits you qualified for with what you received. Otherwise you could have to pay back those tax credits back to the federal government." 

Allen  also said that it’s important to report any life changes to HealthCare.gov as soon as possible. Changes in income, number of family members covered, or getting other coverage can affect the coverage or financial help you're eligible for. 

Some Oregonians may qualify for a health coverage exemption to avoid paying the fee for not having coverage. Exemptions are based on a number of things, such as certain hardships, life events, health coverage or financial status, and membership in some groups. For more information, visit the IRS website.

---

Related Slideshow: By The Numbers: How Oregonians Rate Their Healthcare Providers

Related Articles

• Oregon Health & Science University Arms Campus Cops
• Oregon Bill Takes Big Step in Women’s Reproductive Health
• Oregon Health Authority Announces New Enrollment System
• Oregon Health Insurance Market Opens on Sunday
• Oregonians Rank Best and Worst Healthcare Providers
• Oregon Nursing Homes With the Most Health and Safety Deficiencies
• Nurses Urge AG to Investigate Merger of Providence and St. Joseph Health
• Mum’s the Word: Parenting in Sickness and in Health
• Mid-Year Health System Report Shows ‘Continued Progress’
• New Bills Highlight Holes in Oregon’s Mental Health Care
• Number of Oregonians Without Health Insurance Falls by 63 Percent
• PeaceHealth Names New Chief Medical Officer
• Restaurants Violate Health Code Four Times More Often Than Food Carts
• The 14 Biggest Health Stories of 2014
• Ten Tips For A Healthy Thanksgiving Day
• The Disconnect Between Gun Deaths and Mental Health
• The Health Benefits of Walking
• ZOOM+Smile On-Demand Dental Health Care Opens in SE Portland
• Virtual Reality’s Potential for Athlete Health and Training
• Survey Finds Few People Know How to Maintain a Healthy Brain
• Sen. Wyden Calls For Investigation Into Mental Health Discharges
• Rules for Eating Healthy On a Budget
• Rules Change Could Lead to Spike in Health Advisories at Oregon Beaches
• Salem Health Announces 2016 Community Partnership Grants
• School Bugs: 5 Ways to Boost Your Family’s Health During the School Year
• Second Texas Healthcare Worker Tests Positive for Ebola
• Less Than a Week to Enroll in Health Insurance Plan
• Legacy Health to Offer Free Flu Shots
• Auditors Recommend Portland Police Survey Mental Health Patients
• Armed School Guards Lack Mental Health Screening
• BurnCycle Fosters Good Health Through Local Partnerships
• BuzzFeed Claims Monica Wehby Plagiarized Health Plan
• Doctors Say Increase in Marijuana Use Could Cause Health Risks
• By The Numbers: How Oregonians Rate Their Healthcare Providers
• Are Babies Healthier in Neighborhoods With More Trees?
• App-Tastic: The 7 Best Health and Fitness Apps
• 6 Make-Ahead Healthy Breakfasts to Start the School Day Right
• 24 Oregon Insurance Agents to Create Drop-In Health Insurance Centers
• 6 Things to Know About Healthcare.gov Enrollment in Oregon
• 69,000 Oregonians Hit by Health Data Breaches
• Animal Shelter Struggles With ‘Unhealthy and Untreatable’ Pets
• Eat This, Not That: Healthy Thanksgiving Food Swaps
• Evolution Healthcare & Fitness Grand Opening
• How Should the Portland Timbers Use a Healthy Diego Valeri?
• How A Portland Acupuncture Business is Seeking to Change the Face of Health
• Is Detoxing Actually Healthy for You?
• January is the Last Chance to Enroll in Health Insurance
• Kroger To Begin Offering Transgender Employees Full Health Benefits
• Health Goth: New Lifestyle Trend Created in PDX
• Health Care is More Than Medical Care
• FamilyCare Health Announces $250,000 in Minority Scholarships
• FamilyCare Donates $300,000 to Local Health Organizations
• FamilyCare Health Releases Mobile App
• Five Ways Living in the Moment will Improve your Health
• Four Steps to Creating a Healthy Lifestyle
• 2015 Portland Company of the Year: Healthsparq

Enjoy this post? Share it with others.

Email to a friend Permalink